PECULIAR LIBEL ACTION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9283, 7 December 1895, Page 7

PECULIAR LIBEL ACTION.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Sydney, December 6. An amusing libel action is now engaging the attention of -the Courts. Besomo, a phrenologist and matrimonial agent, is suing Deteotive Keating for £1000 damages. According to the plaintiff's case, an elderly German entered into negotiations with him to procure him a wife, but the negotiations fell through. The noto-. rious Tichborne witness, Jean Luie, then undertook to get the German a wife. The wife he procured was a man dressed as a womna, with a veil over his face. Subsequently a bogus writ was served on the German for breach of promise, and he paid Luie £126 to settle the action. Luie and the supposed wife were prosecuted for conspiracy and obtaining money by fraud, .Besomo being called as a witness against them. Some time afterwards Besomo met Keating at a public house. The latter asked him to have a drink and proposed an impromptu debate. Besomo acted as Chairmatv during the debate, and he alleges Keating made a speech before a number of people gathered in the room accusing him of acting with Luie in procuring a bogus wife, and in the subsequent breach of promise action. In the course of his evidence the plaintiff stated that the German kissed the false woman through the veil, and this kiss formed the groundwork for the breach of promise proceeding 3.